Making the Turn

Micah Goulas wasn't among the favorites going into the Louisiana Golf Association's Junior Amateur Championship held last week at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans.

But by the time that three-day event was over, everyone knew that he ranks as one of the state's brightest junior stars.

Goulas began play with a sterling 2-under-par 69 over the difficult Pete Dye layout to put himself only one stroke out of the lead and two strokes clear of the rest of the field. By the time he added on a Thursday 75 and an even-par final-round 71 on Friday, Goulas finished tied for second with a two-over 215 score in the state's top event for players under age 71.

Goulas entered the final round tied for the lead and eventually finished two strokes back of New Orleans' Price Butcher - who was playing on his home course - and tied with Blake Caldwell of Ponchatoula for runner-up honors.

Goulas had three birdies and a lone bogey in his opening 69, and birdied the 10th, 11th and 13th holes in starting on the back side in the second round. After struggling over the final 14 holes on Thursday, he came back strong in the final round with a three-birdie, three-bogey performance.

Jamison Thomassee of Opelousas also had a top-10 finish, using a final-round one-under 70 to tie for seventh at 221, while Lafayette's Drew Gonzales tied for 14th at 227 and Lafayette's Beau David tied for 27th at 235.

MORE LGA: The Louisiana Golf Association's annual Four-Ball Championship is going on this weekend at Money Hill in Abita Springs, with a 41-team, 82-player field taking part.

The Senior Amateur Championship will be Aug. 15-17 at Bayou de Siard in Monroe. Entries are still open for the Senior Amateur, with information available online at www.lgagolf.org.

SAVE THE DATE: Entries are now being accepted for the annual Lafayette City Championship, scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25, at The Wetlands and Les Vieux Chenes. The two-day, 36-hole medal play tournament annually features many of the area's top golfers taking part in the championship flight, but also has flights for higher-handicap players as well as women's and seniors divisions.

The tournament dates back to 1928, and the list of winners reads like a "who's who" in local golf over the past eight decades. Last year, though, two players whose combined ages barely reached 40 - Mick Huffman of Maurice and Lauren Aillet of Lafayette - claimed the championship flight and women's title, respectively.

"We don't want people to get the idea that just the best players in the area can take part," said Todd Robertson, head pro at Les Vieux Chenes. "We've got divisions for everyone to come out and play."

Entry forms are available at the three municipal courses or by calling Les Vieux Chenes at 837-1159. The entry fee is $130.

WOUNDED WARRIORS: Two different local golf events, one just completed and one upcoming in three weeks, turn the spotlight on the "Wounded Warrior Project" and give local golfers the chance to do their part.

The Wounded Warrior Project seems to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of service members injured in combat, while also helping injured servicemen and women assist each other, and provide unique and direct programs and services to meet their special needs.

During this year's just-completed "Mike Open," tournament host Mike Harson announced that in addition to that event's tradition of donating to children's charities in the office's three-parish area, a portion of the tournament proceeds would go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

"We've always been all for the children," Harson said, "but it is so important for us to help our heroes right now."

"These guys were honored to serve their country," said Major Barry Guidry - himself confined to a wheelchair from a military accident - during the Mike Open. "They have to deal with their injuries every day, but that doesn't stop them. Every bit of support the Project gets goes directly to help them."

If you missed out on the Mike Open, there's another chance upcoming to do your part. Sugar Oaks in New Iberia will be hosting a three-person scramble on Saturday, Aug. 10.

"It's our first year," said tournament organizer Jim Frith, "and participation by both companies and individuals is badly needed in order to achieve our goals of helping our heroes."

Entries and information are available from Frith at (337) 380-1446.

ACES: Neil Fontenot of Youngsville posted the first hole-in-one of his golfing career on July 6, using a 9-iron and a Pinnacle ball to hole out on the 136-yard 15th hole at Hebert Municipal. Fontenot, who has been playing for 20 years and carries a 20 handicap, is a regular at Hebert.

Johnny Ghio of Lafayette used a 9-iron and a Titleist Pro V 1X ball to ace the 121-yard 16th hole at The Wetlands on that same Saturday. Ghio was playing in a group with Chuck Duhon, Ron Dauterive and Michael Marx.

FOOTBALL TIME: The inaugural Cajun Football Golf Invitational, hosted by Denis Baillargeon and friends, is set for Monday, July 29, at Oakbourne. The two-person scramble has a 1 p.m. shotgun start following an 11:30 a.m. lunch, and raises funds for the Ragin' Cajun Athletic Foundation (RCAF).

Entry fee is $300 per person or $600 per team, and information is available from Baillargeon at 237-6022 or at denisb@bellsouth.net.

("Making the Turn" appears each Wednesday in the Daily Advertiser, except for the third Sunday of each month when it appears as part of the monthly Local Golf page. Clubs, courses and individuals with information about local golf events may email Dan McDonald, editorial director at Golfballs.com, at danmcdonald@cox.net, FAX to (337) 857-8763 or call (337) 857-8754 and leave a message. Listen to the "Making the Turn" radio show each Wednesday from 8-9 a.m. on ESPN Sports Radio 1420.)

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Making the Turn

Micah Goulas wasn't among the favorites going into the Louisiana Golf Association's Junior Amateur Championship held last week at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans.

A link to this page will be included in your message.

Real Deals

Flip, shop and save on specials from your favorite retailers in the Lower Hudson Valley, 10604.